Senate Adds Extra Early Voting Center To Bill

People waited for hours in line at this early voting center in Randallstown last October, ahead of the presidential election. (WBAL file photo)

The Maryland Senate has changed a bill to expand early voting to enable some rural counties to add an extra voting center.

Sen. George Edwards, R-Garrett, submitted the amendment on Thursday.

It would allow counties larger than 400 square miles, but fewer than 125,000 registered voters to increase early voting centers from one to two. It would not be mandatory. Edwards says his amendment would affect Allegany, Carroll, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett, Washington and Worcester counties.

Edwards says some people in Garrett County have to drive up to 45 miles to get to the one early voting center.

The bill, which received initial Senate approval Thursday, initially increased voting centers from five to eight in Montgomery, Prince George's and Baltimore counties.

It also allows three in Frederick County instead of one.

The measure also expands the number of days of early voting from six to eight.

It also allows people who are not registered to vote be allowed to cast ballots at early voting centers, as long as they present valid identification.

A number of Republican lawmakers argued that the language would increase voter fraud. Senators rejected a number of amendments that would have limited voters to register and vote on the same day at an early voting center.